And if you believe that, we should talk sometime soon about some investment opportunities I have with a semi-retired guy in New York called Bernie.

Indeed, when I heard Springer was leaving NBC's successful summer series, I suspected he'd been kneecapped in favor of a younger, fresher host. So imagine my lack of surprise when NBC let slip today that actor, stand-up comic and former Nickelodeon star Nick Cannon was joining AGT as the new host -- as just a part of an overall talent deal the Peacock Network has forged with Mr. Mariah Carey.

NBC should be careful, though. Still struggling to explain why it jettisoned popular late night host Jay Leno from the Tonight Show for Conan O'Brien -- especially after a recent Harris poll found Leno to be TV's most popular personality -- the network has a painful history of jettisoning proven veterans for shiny new performers who may not be so successful.

I know from long experience that it is easy to underestimate Springer and his onscreen charm -- even as I admit that he hasn't seemed all that amazing in this particular gig.

Especially when the contestants' activities onstage have been so awful you want to put a question mark at the end of the show's title.

THE EXPLOSIVE PANEL OF CELEBRITY JUDGES -- SHARON OSBOURNE, PIERS MORGAN AND DAVID HASSELHOFF -- RETURN TO PRESIDE OVER THE FOURTH SEASON OF THE ULTIMATE VARIETY SHOW

UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIF. – February 9, 2009 – Multi-talented entertainer/producer and comedian Nick Cannon will become the new host of NBC's top-rated series "America's Got Talent" when the talent-competition returns next summer, it was announced today by Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios.

"Nick exemplifies the spirit of 'America's Got Talent' with his talent, originality and an infectious love of performing and creating," said Telegdy. "His popularity and appeal are sure to take the series to a new level of success."

"This is just the first of multiple projects we are looking to do with Nick at NBC," added Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC and Universal Media Studios. "He's a true triple threat, a multi-talented producer, actor and musician. We are excited to welcome him to the NBC family."

"I'm thrilled to be with working with NBC," said Nick Cannon. "Ben Silverman and Paul Teledgy understand my vision as not only an entertainer but as a creative show producer. I look forward to working with the network and their executive team on 'America's Got Talent' and other shows to come."

"America's Got Talent" will be hosted by Cannon and continue to be presided over by the explosive combination of celebrity judges Sharon Osbourne, Piers Morgan and David Hasselhoff. The series has brought the variety format back to the forefront of American culture by showcasing performers from across the country. For the fourth season, the show will travel to at least nine major cities to find talent of all kinds – singers, dancers, contortionists, comedians, jugglers, magicians and everything in between. They will all strut and perform on-stage hoping to win America's hearts -- and the $1 million prize.

Cited by People Magazine as one of the 'Top Ten most successful young people in Hollywood' and featured on the Cover of Black Enterprises' 40 Under 40, the effusive star has been garnering accolades from all corners of the entertainment community. Cannon landed his first breakthrough role on the Nickelodeon hit series "All That" and was subsequently awarded his own starring vehicle on Nickelodeon, "The Nick Cannon Show." At 16, he became the youngest executive producer on television and won his first kid's choice award for "The Nick Cannon Show," in which he starred, directed and executive produced.

That same year he released his own self-titled debut album, and has collaborated with a host of other musicians, such as Kanye West, The Neptunes, Diddy, Mary J. Blige, Will Smith, R. Kelly and E-40 on soundtracks and other projects. In 2005 he wrote and began hosting, producing and directing his own MTV show, "Nick Cannon Presents Wild'n Out," which became the network's highest rated comedy program for four consecutive seasons. In the Fall 2006, Cannon was featured in the Emilio Esteves' film "Bobby," and his performance earned him a 2007 SAG nomination for "Outstanding Performance by a cast," in addition to becoming the first African-American Actor in history to be honored at the world-renowned Cannes Film Festival with the "Breakthrough Actor of the Year award." In 2008, Nick hosted the Teen Choice Awards for FBC, and most recently was the host/DJ for ABC'shighly successful Presidential Inaugural Neighborhood Ball.

Cannon's other film credits include Sundance Film Festival featured films "Weapons," "American Son," and his most recent role in the psychological thriller, "The Killing Room." He now has his own multi-media company called NCredible, Inc., which has several TV shows and films in development.

Upcoming casting dates include Washington, D.C. (Feb. 13-14), Chicago (March 1-2), Boston (March 7-8), New York City (March 13-15) and Miami (March 28-29). Dates and locations for additional cities including Austin, Texas and Seattle, Washington will be announced in the near future.Contestants are encouraged to pre-register at http://www.nbc.com/AGT. After pre-registering, contestants will be kept up-to-date with the most current information from their audition city.

About the blog

The Feed is your source for television news, reviews and commentary. A group of Tampa Bay Times writers will blog about everything from their current TV obsessions to the changing TV/media landscape (binge-watching galore!). Let's all geek out over our favorite shows together.

As a wee TV fanatic, Times pop music critic Sean Daly first learned to tell time via Lee Majors classic "The Six Million Dollar Man." On family trips, instead of asking "Are we there yet?" he would inquire of his parents: "How many more Six's?" Thus, the concept of an hour. Adorable, right? Not nearly as cute: An adult Sean wears a Tigers hat not to support Detroit but because Tom Selleck wore one on "Magnum, P.I." It's sad really.

Michelle Stark is a Times writer, editor, designer and unabashed TV nerd. Her millennial TV-watching habits rely on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon instead of traditional cable, but she never misses her favorite shows, which include everything from Girls, Parenthood and New Girl to high-minded dramas like Mad Men and Homeland. She never met a reality dance show competition she didn’t like.

Sharon Kennedy Wynne is a Times writer and editor part of that first generation of toddlers raised on Sesame Street. Her TV tastes are eclectic. She's still a big fan of Sesame Street, but also darker fare like American Horror Story and Scandal. As our resident reality TV fan (though she's ashamed to admit it), she has complex theories on Survivor, Amazing Race and Big Brother strategies.